The Legal 500

Within Corporate and M&A, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Tughans provides ‘clear advice that is very focused and timely’. It acted on the local aspects of ESB’s £1bn acquisition of NIE plc, and also represented the venture capital shareholders in selling Lagan Technologies Ltd to KANA Software Inc; it is noted for its ‘good tech industry knowledge’. The ‘decisive, experienced’ John-George Willis heads the practice, while managing partner Ian Coulter is ‘very efficient, with good business awareness’. Both James Donnelly (‘enthusiastic and hardworking’) and Vicky Dummigan (‘efficient’, with ‘good technical knowledge’) made partner in 2010.

Within Dispute resolution, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Tughans has ‘a top insurance practice’ as part of 
an extensive litigation department. Kathy McGillie 
heads defence-side litigation, representing major 
insurers in liability claims. Michael McCord heads the commercial litigation team, which represents the Northern Ireland Housing Executive in disputes and recently handled construction and property cases for clients such as Red Sky and Tesco. Andrew Anthony leads on professional regulatory issues and malpractice claims. Toby McMurray and solicitor Barbara Creed are also recommended.

Within Banking and finance, Tughans is a second tier firm,

Tughans provides ‘excellent, straight-to-the-point advice’, and recently advised banks on refinancings, security packages, and credit and debt facilities. Its clients include Bank of Ireland, Barclays, NAMA, Northern Bank, Bank of Scotland (Ireland), RBS and First Trust 
Bank. Practice head Fearghal O’Loan displays ‘comprehensive knowledge of his area of law, and 
the ability to find practical solutions and to explain 
the law intelligibly’. John-George Willis, David McDonnell and managing partner Ian Coulter are also recommended.

Within Insolvency, Tughans is a second tier firm,

Tughans’ ‘very good’ insolvency department is ‘responsive and its depth of knowledge impressive’. It is representing several banks in security enforcement actions; and advising PwC as Reflex Mouldings Ltd’s administrator. Practice head Toby McMurray is ‘well informed and a strong advocate for clients’.

Within Employment, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Tughans advises on the employment aspects of transactions and restructuring, as well as handling tribunal and other contentious matters. Recent work includes a case involving allegations of direct and 
indirect gender discrimination; representing a council 
in an equal pay claim; and advising ESB on acquiring 
NIE plc. Practice head Anna Beggan and the ‘very 
sensible, very good’ Ciara Fulton (née Dooris) 
are recommended. Patricia Rooney joined as a consultant.

Within Regional review, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Increasingly, the full-service firms in the province boast cross-border capabilities. Arthur Cox and A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland trade on their ‘all-island’ offering, while McGrigors Belfast LLP – the former L’Estrange & Brett – is leveraging ties to its Scottish and English offices. Carson McDowell (with one large office in Belfast), Cleaver Fulton Rankinand Tughans have strategic alliances with Dublin firms.

Within Personal tax, trusts and probate, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Tughans advises on the planning and administration of trusts and estates, including recently representing the administratrix of a £150m intestate estate, and a widow regarding interpretation of a £15m will. Brid McColgan heads the team.

Within Project finance and PFI, Tughans is a second tier firm,

Tughans advised FCC on a new £267m hospital in Enniskillen. The group is active in energy matters, including advising Renewable Power Systems Ltd on gas supply agreements. Biffa Waste Management is a significant client. Practice head John-George Willis is recommended, along with energy and environment expert Andrew Ryan.

Within Commercial property, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Tughans’ ‘excellent’ practice advised ING REIM 
on the local aspects of a REIT acquisition; acted on 
the purchase of a £30m retail park acquisition for 
Metric Property Investments; advised Corbo Ltd on 
the disposal of several Belfast city centre properties and a retail park; and is advising Tesco on 
restructuring a property portfolio. Practice head Phyllis Agnew, Tracey Schofield and John Mills are recommended.

Within Construction, Tughans is a second tier firm,

Tughans provides ‘first-class service’. It advised Ilex URC on the Parade Ground redevelopment in Londonderry; is acting for Tesco to build new stores; and representing Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Red Sky, and Diageo in disputes. Litigator Michael McCord displays ‘deep knowledge and an ability to cut through the legalese’, while Phyllis Agnew is recommended for non-contentious matters.

Within Environment and planning, Tughans is a second tier firm,

Tughans recruited Andrew Ryan (‘a good environmental lawyer’) from Carson McDowell in April 2010 to head its newly formed environment and planning practice. Highlights included advising Schrader Electronics on the End of Life Vehicles Directive; representing Irish Recycling Services Ltd on planning permission for a waste-to-energy plant; and B Mullan & Sons Ltd regarding a proposed landfill site.

Within Intellectual property, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Tughans advises venture capital investors and technology companies on exploiting and defending their IP rights. ‘Excellent’ IT and IP expert Adrian O’Connell advised Sliderobes Group on its trade mark portfolio; and Consilium Technologies, Crescent Capital, and SOPHIA Search on IP issues.

Within IT and telecoms, Tughans is a first tier firm,

Tughans’ ‘particularly excellent’ team represents technology start-ups and young companies. Highlights included advising SISAF Ltd on developing and commercially exploiting drug delivery technology, and representing APT Licensing on licensing proprietary audio compression technology. IT and IP specialist Adrian O’Connell heads the team, and is ‘excellent – his legal advice is tempered by good business sense’.